The classmate who is not forgotten
NISHIBE, Hirotoshi
The violent aviation game was developed for four days from the predawn
on October 12, 1944 to the 15th. It was named the offing aviation game
of Taiwan.
The battle was experienced only after ending flight training and
assigning Tainan Flight Corps. We were under training then using a bomber
model 99 and attack planes model 97. Therefore, we moved to the Kizin
air base in a hurry, and resumed training. It was in the place of about
5km east of Tainan Flight Corps.
On November 1, We are appointed as Petty Officer 2nd class. We opened
congratulation party. It is the Kaizinkan hall in Tainan.
However, there is also no spare time immersed in joy of promotion, and
an Kamikaze.
At this time, it is not based on a command and it is remembered that it
was the organization which collects a candidate.
I wished kamikaze. However, a attacker squad commander Lieutenant
Sunahara is called. It was said that he was hopeless since,
"You is the eldest son." And tell me "To prepare transfer."
I was again called for the Lieutenant. And "On organization, although
compulsion want one more set is not carried out" was said. In this way,
admission to kamikaze was decided.
The reconnaissance member in this organization was our class which just
graduated from flight training in all the members Shanghai Flight Corps.
On the Kizin Air base, in order to avoid an air raid in the daytime,
training of night was started. Flying on especially the sea of night
was thought as important.
It is exact navigation that it is the required to fly over the sea of
night. Therefore, measurement of a trustworthy angle was trained.
Very difficult work measures night and the angle passed.
Nothing is seen in darkness. Therefore, now, he flies and does not
understand where anymore in.
A certain day. I showed up in the telegraphic seat of attack planes
model 97. Pilot member is Petty Officer 1st class Harashima. Navigator
is Petty Officer 2nd class Fukude it is my pair (classmate).
I sent the signal with which it shines from the back seat. to a command
place.
"Completion of start preparation." and the time of reaching a takeoff
point, Petty officer Fukude shouted "the right and left and back all
right" and "it very much good coming out a certain takeoff target"
then, "front it is very well" the Petty Officer Harashima. Fundamentally
it is stability to a seat surely at this time. A takeoff attitude is
prepared for seat band. but the which I do not protect a procedure and
does not take a seat correctly at this time.
"takeoff preparation it is very well !"
Petty Officer Harashima were shouted, "Takeoff!" and operation of a takeoff
was begun. However, the accident happened as speed increased??.
Body different from a usual takeoff begins bound, and a tail wheel began to
bound. And the sound of a brake creaks.
I clung to back reclining on a chair firmly. I thought that it seemed that
it has separated from the runway somehow. At the moment, simultaneously with
a roaring sound called GUWAGGUWATSU, the airplane carried out KIRIKIRI
dancing and stopped with DOSUN. .... Darkness calm for a moment ....
When noticed, the hit was the fog of deep sand. Illuminating a reconnaissance
seat performed me using Orujisu. And it appealed by saying, "Fukuda! Fukuda!."
"GUGGUU" and voice were able to be heard.
I speaks to Patty Officer Harashima, "Mr. Harashima! Is it OK?". "OU" and
the reply came to what times it is on the contrary. It seems to be in an
absent-mindedness state somehow.
I send to a command place "--- ||| --- (SOS) " and the flashing signal were
repeated. It seems that the rescue car spread also in a command place when
knowing an accident has been comeing here.
I came out on wings and observed the situation of the Petty Officer Fukude.
With both hands, he is wearing the face and is lying prone. Blood is seeming
to flow out of between gloves.
I told the Petty Officer Harashima about his injury. And in order to tell
a wrecking crew, it skipped and got down from on wings to the ground. I hurt
my left leg at that time.
We were immediately taken to the Tainan naval hospital. And the minute
examination was undergone. The Petty Officer Harashima has no abnormalities.
I am the light injury of an ankle. The Petty Officer Fukude was sent to
hospital by lower blow of a glabella. For him, after leaving hospital,
the scar of 2cm of horizontal abbreviation.
From the tiredness of training of every day, the cause of the accident mistook
the lamp of a dangerous display of an apron place for takeoff target light,
and began take-off run toward this. Therefore, a part of airplane which was
in the apron place was also damaged. But, it was not reproached in why.
We were soon ordered to be transferred to another section in the 721 Flight
Corps(Koonoike air base). And it was able to return to the homeland.
Koonoike air base is a Kamikaze unit's training base. We went into the party
of the new and composed bomber. And it rode on the new bomber model Suisei
and training was begun.
I and the Petty Officer Fukude had very good relations. It lodged at the same
house. And also outside, it was always acting together among parties. Alcohol
was drunk together. Moreover, when it went out, it worshipped at Kashima-Jinguu.
Mr. Kaneyuki Fukuda.
Next, we were transferred to Hiyakurihara Flight Corps. Here, it will ride on
bombers model 99 and attack planes model 97 again. Some persons were assigned
to the attacks No1 group of 601 Flight Corps who was doing the whereabouts to
the same base.
The Okinawa invasion strategy of the U.S. Forces started. The "Kikusui strategy"
started by it.
The "Kamikaze party" was composed one after another. The Petty Officer Fukuda
was included in the " No2 SEITOO kamikaze party" of a bomber model 99 . And it
marched out to the Kokubu air base. And it flew away from here. To the attack
to which it was prohibited from returning.
Furthermore, the sad thing started. The day when war finished it, August 15 1050
and Hiyakurihara air base leaving It is the "No4 MITATE kamikaze party" which
participated in the attack to which it was prohibited from returning.
It is that the classmate of Kazuhiko Mizoguchi and the Takashi Tanaka was
contained in this unit. The day of fate. the purpose which defends a homeland
what sakes it sortied that there is nothing and its life was refused the spirit
of the dead what is not forever become peaceful.
(Translation March 22, 2003)